Special Event Application and Instructions

Important Application Information Below

Please read carefully before proceeding to the Event Application.

City-Licensed Vendors

The City of Dallas authorizes the sale of food, beverages, goods or services at or within a specific location or area in the city to a limited number of vendor applicants. The Office of Special Events will work with the applicant to notify each city-licensed vendor lawfully operating at or within a location or area in which your special event will be conducted with basic event information and any special requirements that must be followed to operate at the special event, including: (1) The date, hours, location and event layout; (2) specific locations form which the vendor is prohibited from operating (please indicate locations on event layout map (3) food, beverage, or product brand sponsors; and, (4) price categories and payment procedures for the sale of food, beverage, merchandise or other products.

Public Notifications

If the estimated number of participants and spectators exceed 500 during any day of the special event, the applicant shall, at least 30 days before the special event begins, deliver written notice to all owners or occupants of real property abutting the boundaries of the area in which the special event will be conducted, including all owners or occupants of real property abutting the route of a progressive event such as a special event parade or run/walk event. The notice must include the following information: (1) event date, time and location; (2) an application for a special event permit has been filed; (3) interested persons may contact the Office of Special Events at 650 S. Griffin Street, Dallas, Texas 75202, (214) 939-2701.

Insurance

If the estimated number of participants and spectators exceeds 2,500 during any day of the special event, the applicant shall procure and keep in full force and effect for the duration of the event insurance written by an insurance company approved by the State of Texas and acceptable to the city and issued in the standard form approved by the Texas Department of Insurance. All provisions of each policy must be acceptable to the city a nd name the city and its officers and employees as addi tional insured. A certificate of insurance must be submitted before permit is released.

Commercial General Liability Insurance: Must be provided with combined single limits of liability for bodily injury and property damage of not less than $500,000 for each occurrence if the estimated attendance is between 2,501 and 4,999, and $1,000,000 for each occurrence if the estimated attendance is 5,000 or more.

Liquor Liability Insurance: If any alcoholic beverage is sold, served, or otherwise made available at the special event, Liquor Liability Insurance must be provided by the alcoholic beverage license holder in an amount of not less than $1,000,000 for each claim.

Fireworks / Special Effects: If any fireworks or other special effects are used then minimum limits of a)1,000,000 per occurrence; b)2,000,000 general aggregate; c)250,000 fire legal liability is required.

If a special event includes vehicles, aircraft, or other equipment, devices or activities that are excluded from coverage in the general liability insurance policy, then separate additional liability insurance coverage for the applicable exclusion(s) must be provided with the same combined single limits of liability for bodily injury and property damage as outlined in the paragraph above for commercial general liability insurance.

Special Event Banners on Street Light Poles: Commercial general liability insurance must be provided with combined single limits of liability for bodily injury and property damage of not less than $1,000,000 for each occurrence.

Animals: Provide the Office of Special Events with a certificate of general liability covering any bodily injury and property damage caused by animals in the minimum of $500,000 showing the City of Dallas as certificate holder and the City of Dallas, it’s officers, employees and appointed representatives as additional insured.

Security, Crowd Control, & Traffic Control

The applicant may be required to provide police officers for security, crowd control, and traffic control at the special event. The total number of police officers working at the special event is determined by the Office of Special Events, and in some cases, the Dallas Police Department, using planning variables, including: (1) the estimated number of participants and spectators; (2) the availability of alcoholic beverages; (3) topography and size of the event location; (4) weather conditions; (5) the time of day during which the special event is conducted; (6) the need for street closures or rerouting of vehicular or pedestrian traffic; and, (7) the history of the particular special event.

Denial or Revocation

The Office of Special Events shall deny or revoke a special event permit if the applicant makes a false statement of material fact on the application or fails to comply with or the special event is in violation of any provision of the special event permit, Chapter 42A, “Special Events” of the Dallas City Code, or any other applicable law.

The special event permit shall also be denied or revoked if the special events manager, chief of police department, or the chief of the fire department determines the special event poses a serious threat to public health, safety or welfare.

If a special event permit is denied or revoked, the Office of Special Events shall send to the applicant by certified mail, return receipt requested, notice of the denial or revocation and of the right to an appeal and instructions on how to file an appeal with the Permit and License Appeal Board.

Offenses or Penalties

An applicant/person commits an offense if he/she commences or conducts a special event without a special event permit or in violation of any provision of the special event permit, Chapter 42A, “Special Events” of the Dallas City Code, or any other applicable law.

Each offense is punishable by a fine not to exceed $2,000 for each violation of a provision governing fire safety, zoning, public health, sanitation, including dumping of refuse; and $500 for each violation of all other provisions.

Idemnification

As a condition of a Special Event Permit being issued, the permit holder agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the City of Dallas and all of its officers and employees against any and all suits, causes of action or claims for injuries, damages, costs and expenses to persons or property, whether public or private, that may arise out of, or be constituting a part of the special event, or any activity constituting a part of the special event, or any act, omission or misconduct of the permit holder or his agents, representatives, contractors, or employees. The permit holder agrees to discharge any and all judgments that may be rendered against the City of Dallas or its officers and employees in connection with any suit, cause of action, or claim after the judgment becomes final and unappealable.

FAA

Per Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Policy Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are not permitted in Class B Airspace, which encompasses the entire downtown Dallas area and beyond. UAVs, Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), and model aircraft are strictly prohibited in Class B Airspace with the following exceptions:

The operator is a Commercial Operator with a Part 107 license and a valid Certificate of Authorization (COA) issued by the FAA.

Provide OSE a copy of pilot’s license and the Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (FAA FORM7711-1). Waiver and Pilot’s license must be issued to the same person.

Agrees to abide by all rules and regulations set forth by the FAA.

Any operator of a UAV at a permitted special event or filming must present valid drone pilot’s license, FAA waiver, filed flight plan upon request.

Provide additional insurance coverage/limits, as required, by the City of Dallas Office of Risk Management.

Persons found in violation will be referred to the FAA and are subject to a $25,000 fine.

Click the link underlined below to continue to the Event Application.

By clicking the link you agree that you have read and understand the legal text above and assume full responsibility for the application process.